The Minister of State for Power, Works and Housing, Hon. Mustapha Baba Shehuri has warned the contractor handling rehabilitation works on Yola - Hong - Mubi road against delay in the delivery of the project.

2. Hon. Baba Shehuri gave the warning on Saturday, while on an inspection tour of Federal Government's ongoing road projects in Adamawa State.
He expressed dismay over the slow pace of work by the contractor, Messrs AG Vision (Nigeria) Limited. Baba Shehuri described the road as a vital artery to the socio-economic development of area, the entire State and beyond, hence the need for urgency in its delivery.

3. The contract, which commenced in May, 2017 with a 24 - month completion period, is presently at a dismal 15.10% completion, which the Minister described as unacceptable.

4. According to the Contractor, the major cause for the delay is insecurity occasioned by activities of Boko Haram Insurgents in the area and inadequate funding. Hon. Baba Shehuri, who did not hide his displeasure with the Contractor, agreed that though the project was facing some security and funding challenges, he reminded him of the Federal Government's commitment to ensuring security of lives and properties, while the Ministry is making frantic efforts to ensure that certificates are being paid.

5. The Minister urged the Contractor to expedite action on the project by improving on its capacities, stressing that the project is already running out of time. While also commending the communities along the corridor and road users alike for their cooperation and understanding, he reiterated the resolve of the President Muhammadu Buhari's Administration towards the provision of critical infrastructure.

6. In his briefing on the project earlier, the Federal Controller of Works, Adamawa State, Engr. Salihu Abubakar revealed that the contract sum is N21.8 billion, the Contractor fully mobilised to site in 2017 and presently has a total of N6.3 billion unpaid certificates.

7. In the same vein, Hon. Baba Shehuri has summoned the Contractor handling the rehabilitation of Mararrabar Mubi - Michika - Madagali road, Messrs Rhas (Nigeria) Limited to his Office for apathy to work. The Minister, who was visibly livid with anger, expressed his dissatisfaction with the Contractor for abandoning the project despite being fully mobilised. He added that based on the tempo of work on the site, the fate of this all - important project is already jeopardised.

8. The Minister also used the opportunity to express misgivings over claims by the Contractor that the project was initially delayed due to non - availability of working drawings.

9. According to the Federal Controller, the 90 - kilometre road with 3 bridges, which were distroyed by Boko Haram Insurgents in 2014, has a completion period of 18 months, which had already elapsed and the project at a mere 1.7% completion.

10. However, the case of the Contractor handling the rehabilitation of Cham - Numan road project in Gombe and Adamawa States is different, as the Minister was highly impressed with the level of work achieved thus far. Eventhough the Minister applauded the pace of project, he still urged for increased tempo, while assuring the prompt release of funds to meet the project's timeline.

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PHOTO NEWS

22 September, 2017

FASHOLA LALONG HASSAN AT THE 3RD NATIONAL COUNCIL ON POWER IN JOS PLATEAU STATE

Hon Minister of Power Works Housing Mr Babatunde Fashola SANright and Governor of Plateau State Barr Simon Bako Lalongleft during the Executive Session of the 3rd National Council on PowerNACOP with the theme Completing Power Sector Reforms at the Crest Hotel Gardens Old Airport Road Jos Plateau State on Thursday 21st September 2017

DAY THREE OF FASHOLAS INSPECTION TOUR OF HIGHWAY PROJECTS IN THE SOUTH SOUTH ZONE

A Section of theBodo Bonny Road with Bridges across Afa Opobo and Nanabie Creeks in Rivers State duringthe third day of the inspection tour of ofHighway Projects in the South South Zone of the country by the Hon Minister of Power Works and Housing Mr Babatunde Fashola SAN on Saturday 18 February 2017 The contract for the Project was first awarded in 1998 and works started 2003 it dragged on till 2014 when contractor abandoned site but with provision of funding by the Federal Government construction work by Julius Berger Nigeria Plc is set to resume on the Project